novelraw Chapter 223 - 91: Childish
Chapter 223 - 91: Childish
Nan Hua said with a cold face, stiffly.Not long ago, he was telling Gu Qingqing that he and those women were just using each other for mutual benefit, meeting and parting without any attachment. But who knew he would soon encounter someone who clearly didn’t want to meet and part easily, which made Nan Hua find the woman in front of him somewhat annoying.
Miss Zhou, also known as Zhou Linyi, heard Nan Hua’s words, and the smile on her face froze instantly. She widened her eyes at Nan Hua, disbelief evident in them.
When she confirmed that Nan Hua really had no interest in her, as he said, her eyes turned red, and a tear fell from her eyes to the ground. Even when shedding tears, she looked quite beautiful.
"I’ve long heard that Mr. Nan passes through a myriad of flowers yet keeps himself untouched. I thought I would be special, but it turns out I was overthinking it." She looked at Nan Hua, noticing that his expression didn’t change at all, not even a slight frown. She felt heartache like a twist and showed a poignant smile on her face, saying, "So, I was being self-indulgent, Mr. Nan, goodbye."
After speaking, she turned around and hurriedly left. Initially, she tried to act gracefully, but later, possibly due to her sadness, she started running with disregard, quickly disappearing from the street.
Ever since Zhou Linyi appeared, Gu Qingqing and the others were watching from the side. Si Lin and the others had seen such things countless times and had no extra feelings, while Jun Wu naturally didn’t pay attention to others’ emotions, remaining calm throughout. Only Gu Qingqing saw Nan Hua like this for the first time.
"What’s wrong? Little Qingqing, why are you looking at me like that?" Nan Hua showed no reaction to Zhou Linyi’s departure, turned his head, and saw Gu Qingqing looking at him with a rather strange expression. He blinked and asked curiously.
"Third Senior Brother, your demeanor just now really resembled that of a scoundrel." Gu Qingqing hesitated for a moment but chose to tell the truth. If she didn’t know Nan Hua’s character, seeing such a man on the street, she would definitely think he was a scoundrel and might even find a way to teach him a lesson.
The smile that had just spread across Nan Hua’s lips froze on his face, looking at Gu Qingqing with a grievance, "Little Qingqing, hasn’t Senior Brother cared for you enough? Why do you say that about Senior Brother? I’ve already explained, we were merely fulfilling our needs, and I have no feelings for her. If I agreed to be with her, wouldn’t I be hurting her? Isn’t it better to make it clear early on to avoid unrealistic fantasies?"
Nan Hua felt he was being wrongly accused. His interactions were always mutual, based on intention and desire, typically benefiting both parties, and he never forced those women. However, to say he invested genuine feelings was improbable, yet some women, like Zhou Linyi just now, thought they were special, pestering him to no end. He was helpless!
Upon hearing Nan Hua’s words, Gu Qingqing thought about it and felt that it made sense. If he didn’t like the other party yet agreed to them, that behavior would be even more scoundrel-like.
"Geng Geng, don’t listen to him babbling nonsense. Isn’t it because he constantly flirts with those women? Otherwise, why would they seek him?" Rong Ye saw Gu Qingqing seemed to be swayed by Nan Hua, and quickly approached Gu Qingqing to speak.
"If you say that, then didn’t you also flirt with Chen Jiawei? Otherwise, why does she like you and always want to throw herself at you, even opposing Geng Geng because of it?" Nan Hua looked at Rong Ye, his tone faint and eerie.
"You’re talking nonsense! When have I ever flirted with her? I haven’t even spoken a few words to her!" Upon hearing Nan Hua’s words, Rong Ye exploded.
Although they weren’t speaking positively about people behind their back, Rong Ye truly felt that Chen Jiawei was annoying, having no desire to speak to her at all!
"Exactly, you said that now, isn’t that flirting then? How is my case any different? It only shows that I’m charming, understand?" Nan Hua rolled his eyes at Rong Ye, speaking rather narcissistically.
"Bah, really self-praising, saying you’re charming? Why don’t you ascend to the heavens?" Rong Ye, having a look of disdain, couldn’t stand Nan Hua’s provocative demeanor.
"Hey, don’t think just because you’ve advanced to Half-step Immortal Rank, you’re tough and can ignore your Senior Brother. Once I reach Half-step Immortal Rank, let’s spar properly." Nan Hua was also provoked by Rong Ye, closed his fan, and spoke with contempt and sarcasm.
The argument between the two resembling a pair of three-year-olds left Gu Qingqing and the others speechless, also attracting the attention of passersby. Originally, each of them was very appealing, which naturally drew attention. Now their behavior made it impossible for one not to take a second look. After all, wasn’t watching two handsome men arguing childishly on the street interesting?
Gu Qingqing and the others stood by the roadside, watching their argument, even holding drinks and food.
In the end, Si Lin couldn’t take it anymore, intervened to break them up, finally quieting them down.
Since they had arrived in Cloud Peak City, they naturally needed to meet up with the Lingxi Sacred Land people. Fortunately, they had already contacted Zhao Tonghai on the journey and knew where the Lingxi Sacred Land folks were resting, going straight to their location to meet up.
As one of the top righteous forces of the Sub-immortal Realm, the Lingxi Sacred Land people’s residence was quite magnificent, a very grand estate.
The yard is quite spacious, and there are quite a few people from Lingxi Sacred Land here this time, so they can all stay comfortably.
The disciples guarding the gate were very excited upon seeing Si Lin and the others, and without needing any notification, they led them inside.
As the Saint Heir of Yunlan Sacred Land, Jun Wu had already parted ways with Gu Qingqing and the others, heading to meet up with the disciples from Yunlan Sacred Land where they were staying.
"Disciple greets Uncle Zhao!" Upon seeing Zhao Tonghai, Gu Qingqing and the others stepped forward to pay their respects simultaneously.
"You’re finally here, please rise." Zhao Tonghai was also very pleased to see Si Lin and the others. He waved his hand, and a gentle force lifted them up.
"We were delayed by some matters on the road, apologies for making Uncle Zhao wait for so long." Si Lin, taking the initiative in front of an elder, first apologized to Zhao Tonghai.
"Ah, it’s nothing. We only arrived yesterday as well, and since there are still three days until the competition starts, you’re not late at all." Zhao Tonghai waved his hand, not minding at all.
"Si Lin, since your cultivation has already advanced, you don’t need to participate in the competition this time. The others must still prepare well, especially Little Qingqing. She hasn’t been here long since coming up from the Lower Realm, and probably hasn’t even heard of the competition before. You should all explain the important details to her so she doesn’t suffer." Although Zhao Tonghai appeared quite simple and honest, since he was one of the hall masters of Lingxi Sacred Land, he obviously wasn’t that simple at heart. He was actually very wise and cherished Gu Qingqing and the others like his own disciples, speaking frankly with them.
Rong Ye glanced at Si Lin upon hearing this, and after Si Lin nodded, he stepped forward.
"To report to Uncle Zhao, this disciple has also broken through to Half-step Immortal Rank and will not participate in this competition." Rong Ye made no intention to hide his advancement, particularly since Zhao Tonghai was someone he could completely trust, so he had no reason to hide it from him.
"Really?" Zhao Tonghai was very surprised and even a little delighted upon hearing Rong Ye’s words. He instinctively looked towards Si Lin, and after Si Lin nodded, Zhao Tonghai’s face immediately broke into a simple and honest smile. "That’s wonderful! Our Lingxi Sacred Land has another person at Half-step Immortal Rank, haha, that’s great!"
Zhao Tonghai grew up in Lingxi Sacred Land since he was a child, and to him, Lingxi Sacred Land was home. Always prioritizing it, he was naturally very happy with the increase in its status now that both Si Lin and Rong Ye had reached Half-step Immortal Rank.
"Since you’ve also reached Half-step Immortal Rank, you don’t need to participate either. The rest should prepare well. Additionally, Yue Zhao and the rest of you shouldn’t feel pressured. With your talent, reaching Half-step Immortal Rank is only a matter of time, so keep a calm mindset." Zhao Tonghai quickly offered sincere comfort, worried that Yue Zhao and the others might feel pressured due to Si Lin and Rong Ye’s advancements.
"Rest assured, Uncle, we won’t overthink it." Yue Zhao, although feeling that Zhao Tonghai’s concern was a bit unnecessary, still sincerely replied to him.
"That’s right, Uncle. Don’t you know our personalities well enough to know we won’t overthink it?" Nan Hua chimed in supportively from the side.
"Right, right, Uncle, rest assured, we know." Mu Chen followed Nan Hua, nodding earnestly with the same sincere expression.
Their relationship as senior and junior was not your average kind. Seeing others advance would only make them happy for each other, rather than feel upset because someone else’s cultivation level was higher than theirs.
Yue Zhao and the others had a clear understanding of themselves, knowing that with their talents, reaching the Half-step Immortal Rank was only a matter of time. Additionally, there was an element of luck in Si Lin and Rong Ye reaching Half-step Immortal Rank, so they genuinely didn’t overthink it.
"That’s good, rest assured we are at ease with you." Zhao Tonghai glanced at Yue Zhao and the others. With his keen eye, he naturally saw that they weren’t just trying to brush him off, and nodded contentedly.
He even felt a bit envious of Wen Guiyun, who not only had six extremely talented disciples but also shared deep bonds among them, with none of that sly competitiveness you’d find elsewhere. Even his own disciples occasionally indulged in some competition.
"You’ve been on the road for a few days, and must be exhausted. I had someone prepare the yard for you earlier. It’s been tidied up a bit, so let someone lead you there now. Shouldn’t it be fine for you siblings to share a yard?" Zhao Tonghai looked at Gu Qingqing and the others.
"No problem, Uncle, as you arrange, we’re all fine with it." Si Lin answered on behalf of Gu Qingqing and the others.
Zhao Tonghai nodded and summoned a disciple from outside to usher Gu Qingqing and the others to their accommodations.
The yard Zhao Tonghai assigned to them was named Songtao Garden, and it was quite spacious. Each of them could have their own room, just enough to avoid disturbance.